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Autoantibodies Aiding MG Diagnosis

July 2009

So what autoantibody tests aid the diagnosis of myasthenia gravis? Well, first of all, the acetylcholine receptor binding antibody. This can distinguish myasthenia gravis of an acquired type from congenital myasthenia gravis. The presence of this antibody will also raise the question of subclinical myasthenia gravis in thymoma patients where no weakness has been detected. The antibody is also detected in a few patients who have other autoimmune neurological disorders, including Lambert-Eaton syndrome in 10% and, rarely but significantly, in patients with peripheral neuropathies, encephalopathies, and radiculomyelopathies.